AI Interview for Feature Writers — Automate Screening & Hiring

AI Interview Questions for Feature Writers: What to Ask & Expected Answers

Interviewing feature writers — whether manually or with AI Screenr — involves discerning a candidate's depth and breadth of journalistic skills. The questions below focus on key competencies, informed by AP Stylebook standards and real-world newsroom practices. These questions aim to differentiate those with superficial writing abilities from those with substantial experience in diverse storytelling formats.

1. News Judgment and Story Prioritization

Q: "How do you decide which stories to prioritize under tight deadlines?"

Expected answer: "Prioritizing stories at my last paper involved assessing newsworthiness, audience interest, and impact. We used Chartbeat and Google Analytics to gauge what topics resonated and combined this data with editorial instincts. For instance, during a local election, I prioritized a feature on youth voter turnout, using audience metrics to justify the focus. This decision increased our digital engagement by 30% that week. Balancing hard data with editorial judgment is crucial — it ensures stories aren't just timely but also meaningful. I also consider the newsroom's strategic goals, aligning my pitches to broader content themes."

Red flag: Candidate relies solely on instinct without mentioning tools or audience metrics.

Q: "Describe a time when you had to quickly pivot a story angle."

Expected answer: "In my previous role, I was covering a cultural festival when an unexpected protest occurred. I quickly shifted focus to cover the protest's impact on the festival, using Adobe Premiere to edit video footage for our digital channels. The pivot required rapid coordination with photographers and social media teams, resulting in a comprehensive package that increased our site visits by 40% over the weekend. This adaptability under pressure is vital for maintaining relevance and providing our audience with timely content. Our CMS allowed quick updates, keeping the story dynamic and engaging."

Red flag: Candidate cannot provide a specific example of a quick pivot or lacks metrics.

Q: "What strategies do you use to maintain a balanced news diet in your reporting?"

Expected answer: "I ensure a balanced news diet by regularly reviewing diverse sources, including wire services and niche publications. At my last job, I developed a weekly editorial calendar using Trello, categorizing stories by theme and urgency. This approach helped maintain a mix of hard news and softer features. For instance, balancing a high-profile investigative piece with lighter cultural commentary kept our content varied and engaging. Monitoring engagement through Parse.ly, I adjusted focus areas based on reader feedback, ensuring we met audience expectations while maintaining editorial integrity."

Red flag: Candidate lacks concrete strategies or tools for maintaining balance.

2. Sourcing and Ethics

Q: "How do you ensure accuracy and fairness when dealing with multiple sources?"

Expected answer: "In my experience, ensuring accuracy involves meticulous fact-checking and cross-referencing sources. I use Factiva and LexisNexis for background checks, corroborating information before publication. At my previous paper, I covered a contentious local policy change, interviewing diverse stakeholders to present balanced viewpoints. I maintained transparency with sources, clarifying the interview process and fact-checking quotes with them. This practice not only upheld ethical standards but also fostered trust, resulting in a series that improved our paper's credibility, reflected by a 15% increase in reader trust surveys."

Red flag: Candidate does not mention specific tools or lacks a clear process for verification.

Q: "Can you give an example of an ethical dilemma you faced and how you handled it?"

Expected answer: "While reporting on a sensitive community issue, I encountered an anonymous tip about potential misconduct. I consulted our legal team and used the SPJ Code of Ethics as a guide, ensuring the information was verified before proceeding. This involved discreetly contacting additional sources to corroborate the claim without compromising anonymity. The decision to publish was balanced with ethical considerations, ultimately leading to an impactful story that prompted local policy reviews. This experience reinforced the importance of ethical diligence and the role of newsroom collaboration in sensitive reporting."

Red flag: Candidate cannot articulate a specific dilemma or lacks resolution details.

Q: "Describe your approach to building and maintaining sources."

Expected answer: "Building sources requires trust and regular engagement. In my last role, I developed a spreadsheet to track interactions and follow-ups, ensuring consistent communication. I prioritized relationship-building by attending relevant community events and using social media platforms like LinkedIn for professional connections. This approach expanded my network, leading to exclusive story tips and deeper insights into community issues. For instance, maintaining a strong rapport with local activists provided early access to emerging trends, directly contributing to a 25% increase in exclusive content for our publication."

Red flag: Candidate does not demonstrate a systematic approach to source management.

3. Fact-Checking and Accuracy

Q: "What tools do you use for fact-checking and ensuring accuracy?"

Expected answer: "I rely heavily on FactCheck.org and Snopes for preliminary fact-checking, supplementing with primary sources whenever possible. At my last paper, I implemented a fact-checking protocol using Google Sheets to track source verification steps. This system helped reduce errors, cutting retraction rates by 10% over six months. Additionally, I collaborated with our editorial team to establish a checklist for verifying details before publication. This practice not only improved accuracy but also enhanced the credibility of our reporting, reflecting positively in reader trust metrics."

Red flag: Candidate cannot name specific tools or lacks a structured fact-checking process.

Q: "How do you handle corrections and retractions?"

Expected answer: "Handling corrections with transparency is crucial. In my previous role, I managed a correction after a data error in a feature. I issued a prompt correction both online and in print, following our newsroom's corrections policy. This involved updating the digital version with a clear note and notifying readers via social media. The process taught me the importance of owning mistakes and maintaining open communication with our audience. Our commitment to transparency was recognized in a reader survey, noting a 20% increase in perceived accountability."

Red flag: Candidate hesitates to discuss past corrections or lacks a structured approach.

4. Multi-Platform Storytelling

Q: "How do you adapt a story for different platforms?"

Expected answer: "Adapting stories for multiple platforms involves tailoring content to each medium's strengths. At my last publication, I transformed a print feature into a multimedia package using Adobe Creative Cloud tools. I created an audio version with Audacity and an interactive web piece using our custom CMS. This cross-platform approach increased engagement by 50%, as measured by our social media analytics. Understanding each platform’s audience and format is crucial — it ensures the story resonates and reaches a broader audience, leveraging each channel's unique capabilities."

Red flag: Candidate lacks examples of cross-platform adaptation or specific metrics.

Q: "Describe a successful multi-platform campaign you managed."

Expected answer: "I spearheaded a campaign on urban gardening, combining print, video, and social media elements. Using Hindenburg for audio, I produced a podcast series, while our video team used Premiere Pro for short documentaries. The integrated campaign boosted our social media followers by 30% and increased print subscriptions by 15%, as tracked by our CRM. This experience highlighted the importance of cohesive storytelling across platforms, ensuring each medium complemented the others while maintaining a unified narrative. The campaign's success was evident in both audience growth and engagement metrics."

Red flag: Candidate cannot provide a detailed example or lacks measurable outcomes.

Q: "What challenges have you faced in multi-platform storytelling, and how did you overcome them?"

Expected answer: "A major challenge was coordinating content across teams with different skill sets. During a citywide event coverage, I used Trello to streamline tasks and timelines, ensuring seamless integration of text, audio, and video. This coordination minimized delays and maintained quality across platforms. The project increased our web traffic by 40% during the event week. Overcoming these challenges taught me the value of clear communication and structured project management, crucial for successful multi-platform storytelling. The positive audience response confirmed the effectiveness of our coordinated approach."

Red flag: Candidate cannot articulate challenges faced or lacks specific resolution tactics.